Pair of Frisco restaurants expand & renovate

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It may not be the official winter season yet, but there are some expanded options out there for locals looking for a tasty meal and a fun place to hang out.

Business has been good lately for the Hacienda Real, a frequent winner of the Best of Summit award, and about a month ago it decided to give the public what it wanted - more.The Mexican-style restaurant expanded to add another seating area to the right of the hostess stand, and the rest of the restaurant. The addition bears the same cheerful orange paint on the walls, along with similar dcor. The result is a much more open and spacious feel at the entrance. The new seating area can seat up to 50 people at tables as well as in six-person, family-style booths."It's more comfortable, more friendly," said owner Luis Flores.The atmosphere certainly is friendly, lively music mixing with even livelier conversations throughout the restaurant. Customers are greeted, some by name, as they come in, and call out compliments to the food as they leave. Though the setting has expanded, the menu remains full of the same delicious authentic Mexican dishes. Margaritas, of course, are plentiful, and the full-service bar hosts its Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m. daily.

A stop at Deli Belly's these days is a shinier, more spacious experience. After opening the sandwich shop 17 years ago, owners Lisa and George Tousey decided that the time had come for a change.A new paint job, new tables and new chairs freshen up the place. The counters are also new, matching the paint and taking advantage of the opened-up space. The Touseys took the renovation on themselves, and with the help of a few friends, finished the entire project in just four days."The locals have really supported us," said George Tousey. He added the business has been good, despite the slow season, and looks to be picking up once the snow arrives."It looks great," loyal customer John Yanke said of the renovation, leaning on the new counter as he waited for his Reuben. Though the look has changed, the menu has not. The same regular and specialty sandwiches are on offer, along with the latest deal of $5 sandwiches from 3-4 p.m.The Touseys also own the Breakfast Deli down the street, which serves breakfast burritos and other breakfast-related foods to the hungry morning masses.